Biology of the Kelpie: Imposter in the Loch

[@LilAl-h6h]

Kelpie: mythical water horse Potato: octopus

[@misterhyde2817]

I wonder what they taste like, though probably a mixture of horse and octopus

[@TealWolf26]

Predatory shadow puppets.

[@ugandanknuckles2392]

To be fair, he’s not the first person to think of the Kelpie as a cephalopod. I keep seeing a kelpie like this one on Pinterest that I don’t think were made by TP

[@wulfryanseptim8592]

Also tbf, Kelpie s are often said to not actually be horses but just take the form of them

[@Rapture-nv5vj]

Kelpie in mitology: Water horse Kelpie in Thought Potato lore: a really sneaky octopus

[@viniciuspaiva3578]

Headcanon that Kelpie is Nessie's prey of choice!

[@redspec01]

This is a great idea!

[@Jacquer68]

Genius!

[@TheSaneHatter]

Yes: I was thinking about how the two species would interact, as soon as the narration returned to the Scottish lochs. The only problem I foresee, is that Loch Ness is a pretty deep, steep sided lake without a lot of shallows, which would leave the kelpies without much room to live in. However, at least one kelpie story can be found in the folklore of Loch Oich, very close to Ness, so maybe there’s some wiggle room…

[@alexroy9912]

I could see that as some Eel species like moray Eel will prey on octopus so there's no reason for the larger Nessie's wouldn't prey on a Kelpie. This could result in a fierce rivalry between the two species with Kelpie killing any baby Nessie's they see like how cape Buffalo would kill any unattended lion cub and vice versa with Nessie.

[@AnimeShinigami13]

Or Kelpie preys on Nessie!!

[@rubenotero7100]

I love the explanation of the horse mimicry as not something done to entice humans (because how would an octopus even know about the relationship between horses and people), but rather to mimic ungulates as its preferred prey, which just so happened to be beneficial as humans domesticated ungulates. Humans then assuming what they were seeing was a horse.

[@c5365]

I just thought of some other points. Ungulates tend to be herd animals, so seeing another "friend" in the distance would make a lost deer/sheep/etc. feel more secure and safe to approach the water for a drink. Also, the Kelpie story was mostly told to children....and children would be smaller and easier for a Kelpie to grab, thus why children might be a more frequent human victim to them, hence the need for people to warn their kids with stories.

[@rubenotero7100]

@@c5365 It's just such a cool & well thought out concept, bro was cooking.

[@c5365]

Agreed!

[@stopgont7360]

Most of the mimic animals don't know about the relationship

[@xiesie_xiesie]

Potato is the only person that can see a horse, say "octopus, roll with it", and I'm going to believe him no questions, just pure curiosity

[@Afrologist]

Actually diving into how an Octopus could hypothetically survive in fresh water was an excellent touch. Honestly, if it ever ended up happening, I could totally see a Cephalopod occupy a riparian ambush predator niche like a Crocodile. If an Amphibian lineage could end up adapting to salt water & we already have a Squid that can exist at lower salinities, then I reckon this makes the Kelpie probably the most plausible monster you've ever covered, awesome work TP!

[@Dralonetheasis]

I won't lie, I was rattling my brain on how someone can conceptually find a way to make the Kelpie folklore into a living, breathing creature without it being a horse with gills But you made it into a freshwater octopus that uses aggressive mimicry into an equine like shape before lunging at its prey with split second precision is just- wow. That is so creative. Kudos to you, man Just goes to show I should think outside the box more

[@Ziorac]

Absolutely agree. Truly a genius and unique concept and wonderfully executed.

[@redwolf121990]

Wow, this actually tops the 'manticore are super niche primates' in terms of making the myth real. Way to go, Thought Potato!

[@JerBear25]

Imagine if this was turned into an animated series! “Cryptids: Biology of the Unknown” each season features a different creature. The show centers around the MC and his team being apart of a secret organization that travels around the world, discovering that creatures of myths and lore are in-fact real, just not what we think they are.

[@aria5614]

I think it should take cues from Secret Saturdays, leaning more into the "Secret Scientist" aspect.

[@zionleach3001]

I'd read or watch that. Maybe have some characters be monster hunters and but heads with the scientists.

[@peterstoric6560]

You are really pumping out videos now! Please don’t overwork yourself but do know this is awesome

[@ThoughtPotato]

I appreciate it! Gotta find that balance for sure

[@remuslazar2033]

​@@ThoughtPotatoplease make Mokele Mbembe

[@melvinfranco2142]

​@ThoughtPotato I believe that a video explaining the biology of the mananangal might be beneficial for your channel. Imagine this: a recently pregnant Philippine woman is sleeping in her home when this abomination to nature creeps into her room and eats the infant inside her in a truly gruesome fashion.

[@xxmustard_boixx]

His teams traveling budget got an increase 😅

[@jennyfeare1702]

Yippee there's my octo Kelpie tysm for including such a cleverly banger route of this Scottish horror~! (Senrouk's skill is just as pleasing as the og piece JT cooked up~

[@ThoughtPotato]

Thanks for letting me use your concept!

[@Jacquer68]

You came up with this? Genius!

[@perihelion1225]

Incredible work! I’ll have to check out more of your work soon!

[@nekoeko500]

Idk who this person is, but coming up with this and just letting someone else use it is of such intellectual and moral greatness. Thanks, the two of you.

[@RegiArt7]

@@ThoughtPotatoSpeaking of concepts, I was wondering if you could do the Not Deer? Maybe it would be something like the maned wolf?

[@kevinpoe8137]

The kelpie being an octopus is a pretty interesting concept, also you should do a video on the not-deer next

[@ananslator3655]

Yeah, could be a mutant variation of the chronic waste disease making them horrific shape shifting mutant predators that can change and shape shift their body textures and physical atrophy at will

[@whyamihere555]

@@ananslator3655 CWD can't mutate, prions don't have DNA.

[@ZashuCrash]

That was my first thought after this.

[@RA1NnF0G]

I love your creativity with these creatures, I don’t anyone would have guessed you would make a kelpie from an octopus. Just like your mothman and manticore. Can’t wait to see how you do with the jersey devil, bunyip, drop bear and kasai Rex

[@hillarydana3057]

If you do a river mermaid video you can make it set in the Amazon there is a legend of a river mermaid there but I think you can make it different like the idea that There’s multiple and some are good some are evil!💛

[@ThoughtPotato]

Love that idea!

[@amanecielly]

The Amazon river mermaid is called Iara/Yara. I'd love an episode about her

[@TheCyberKid707]

@@ThoughtPotato Do you think you’ll ever do a video on the biology of living gnomes? Or perhaps hellhounds?

[@Bluedd17]

@@hillarydana3057 Or perhaps complete the set of monsters of Universal, giving shape to the "Creature of Black Lagoon"/ The Shape of Water". My best regards to You!

[@squidbaitgaming8533]

Fantastic work! Probably one of my favorite videos so far from sheer creativity alone.

[@ThoughtPotato]

Thanks so much! All credit to Jennywolf for the concept, and I definitely agree about the creativity

[@praetorianrex5571]

4:01 goat: *chuckles* I'm in danger

[@richardround2071]

I was just rewatchung all your videos, cant wait for this one. Edit: just watched it, such a fantastic concept

[@xellosmakuzo2586]

Aaawww yeah!!! KELPIEEEESSS!!! Another superb creature, but I’m still waiting for spectral creature. Don’t forget to take breaks!

[@ananslator3655]

That would be an interesting one, but yeah, take your time, buddy

[@ananslator3655]

Kelpies are octopi in disguise very interesting choice

[@collincutler4992]

I agree...absolutely genius

[@doltishiowa8577]

I would love to see one of these videos made of the nuckelavee. At first I thought it would be difficult to make, but after seeing the video on the centaur I can see them being some sort of sub species of the centaurs. I do see some questions being raised though if that were to be the case with the implications that the centaurs where genetically made instead of naturally existing.

[@grimfin3214]

Seconded, Nuckelavees are horrifying. I can see them being the result of a centaur catching one of the viruses already established in this series

[@samanthaholness8151]

Why do I feel like the Kelpie is on something else's dinner menu? Fantastic work as always!

[@Deehan_Oof]

Probably nessiaunicus

[@liamfederis6374]

I wasn’t expecting an octopus to mimic a horse unique for this type of direction for the kelpie

[@RetiredLegends2008]

I love the idea of kelpies mimicking horses to lure them to their demise, it works wonders in a game I play where kelpies are bascially just carnivorous horses and can still interbreed with horses, of course different worlds often require different lore.

[@Bluedd17]

Hi Thought Potato! Thank you a lot for this very appreciated Xmas gift! The creature you described is fascinating in folklore, and your interpretation is too as well. This reminded me a little of the Swampus and Megasquid of "Future is Wild" (especially regarding its limbs, gills, and inner oxygenation system which must have gone through severe arrangements, to enable its body to stand up and out of water for a discrete amount of time). My compliments to You, your team, and Jenny Wolf for the first design. It's always surprising to find out which solution you will find to reflect the stories ... and also how nature can surprise us by itself with its unsuspected faces. My best regards to You!

[@Biiiivv]

Wow thats actually a really cool take on a kelpie, this video is up there with the manticore video for me

[@KurokawaShiro]

Long ago, I recall reading a short story where someone escaped off a Kelpie by coincidentally having iron chains on-hand when they were taken by the beast. The Kelpie ended up being tied to a tree or stone with said chains and when the person returned at dawn to see what its true form was, there was only a dead mass of shapeless gelatin.

[@rileyswack5402]

I have been having wicked migraines lately but this has brought me joy. Thank you for making these videos.

[@rosswebster7877]

Possibility is my favorite Thought Potato take on a mythical monster yet! Hoping some day you might get around to our (Colorado's) favorite cryptid, the Slide-Rock Bolter of the Rocky Mountains, or Australia's Bunyip!

[@K44ru72]

Mm big.. wombat? Otter-like hypercarnivorous dasyure?

[@musicgirl12357]

Here's another idea for worldbuilding. There later ends up being an isolated population in Scandinavia as well which explains legends of the Backahasten which is the Scandinavian version of the same legend.

[@samuelcarroll6153]

I love your content !!! Seriously can’t wait to see more, please please please I’d love to see your take on the Kappa, Yeti, Griffen, Wyvern, Jurei-Gumo ( I know I didn’t spell the last one correctly sorry) again love your content hope to more videos soon

[@benpowell-punmaster1214]

I’ve loved this series so far. It’s always helped to listen whilst I’m doing work. I’m not sure how viable this would be, but I’d love to see your take on a Lamia, especially seeing what you did with the mermaid species.

[@ryonhatcher4561]

I was excited when I found out this next video was on the Kelpie, a very iconic Scottish Fey. I know what some of you guys are gonna say: "Kelpies aren't fairies!" Well, Fairies don't really have a one-size-fits-all description, as some Feyfolk can be Humans, Animals, or even a combination of the two. Some can be living creatures or spirits of the dead, like the Banshee. Simply put, the tern "Fairy" is actually an umbrella term for any creature that is considered "Enchanted" or "Magical". Anyways, the Video was interesting, though I wouldn't consider it my favorite in my opinion. I look forward to whatever mythical creature comes next!

[@Monderoth]

Yep! One of my favorite fairies!

[@Quiescere0]

I remember the first time I meet this concept of Kelpies. I saw them on the manga Berserk, by Kentarou Miura, volume 24. It fascinated me but there was limited information about them. In Berserk they're like frogs with horse's body and control water as an element, throwing deadly balls of water and lifting water columns to drown their prey. Here you present a different version, but it's acceptable, after all it's just mythology, ideas that can be warped by our imaginations.

[@matthewhenthorn3343]

this is perfect. I wanted to make a sentient cephaloid species for my fantasy setting, but couldn't figure out how to integrate them into a story. whilst I already have a kelpy species of aquatic dragon, some darker legends of water horses that give people fear of the Kelpy can be associated to these beings. Thank you, both of you.

[@davidfletcher6703]

Love the bagpipes in the background

[@ThoughtPotato]

It's the vibe

[@davidfletcher6703]

@@ThoughtPotato, indeed

[@readingking1421]

That's gotta be one of the most imaginative cryptid reimagines I've ever seen. Inland octopus

[@abdulazizrex]

This is easily the most unique and incredible take on the Kelpie I have ever seen! Can’t wait to see Bigfoot!

[@EarthrealmWarrior]

This is so creative and fascinating to watch. Like how do you explain a mythical water house. Love the explanations

[@jennyfeare1702]

Quite the splendid early surprise Christmas gift, hope perhaps one day you could do a vid covering my Trail of Cryptids project, once i get more juicy lore fleshed out & extracted from being stuck within my brain lol. Much love, happy holidays & a happy New Year!!

[@davidschulberg8584]

An octopus mimicking a different animal's body?? That's NUTS. Love it

[@jackhall5408]

A fascinating video, as expected from this channel. It is interesting to note that the usual note at the beginning of the video stating that this video had been found like the others was missing here. Perhaps that implies a change in the overarching story, with the viewer watching the video before they were lost in the archives?

[@TheSaneHatter]

Congratulations on another HIGHLY inventive “discovery.” Not only have you created, once again, a monster that I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing, but I’d actually love to see this creature animated on film: it could be the visual basis for a tremendous horror movie. Of course, as you rightly point out, the idea of a freshwater, cephalopod would be astounding in its own, right: you may have made the first step towards explaining the giant squids, but supposedly swimming around Hogwarts. I also appreciated the discourse on the creatures, endangered status towards the end, particularly the notice of climate change and pollution . Realistically, while an endangered and exotic species could be a powerful incentive towards reducing these problems, any researcher studying this animal would be caught in a crisis of conscience between trying to preserve a creature which is plainly dangerous, or letting one of nature’s exotic wonders, perish due to human negligence: THAT could make a good story, too. P.S. As I watched, I got to thinking about some other folklore creatures you’ve discourse on, especially from ancient Greece, and I’m thinking it might be time to give our old friend the cyclops a shot…

[@TheaSvendsen]

Your artist is amazing! So consistently creating something that is both unique and beautiful, but also makes the path which allows these to feel so real - rather than surreal. (S)he’s a keeper

[@alexweh]

This is just a perfect example of a concept that seems ridiculous, yet is perfectly executed. Great video!

[@lamafur]

This was a super interesting direction to go with the Kelpie! Keep up the good work man!!!

[@edujokin7308]

Your creativity with the adaptations of these mythological creatures never disappoints! I love the art of this one especially

[@enriqueramirez0615]

Here the kelpie is not exactly a horse but instead a type of cephalopod. In the Cryptozoologicon book the kelpie is also portrayed as a giant chevrotain.

[@randomhuman3883]

Absolutely love your content, id really be interested in seeing if you could do a video about the las plagas parasite from resident evil 4 as i think their biology would be really interesting

[@grimfin3214]

In light of these revelations, I move that we officially rename the kelpie, as the lochtopus

[@theelvenjedi7045]

First Nessie, now kelpies, you're doing ALL my favs lately Potato! /positive ❤ would love to see your take on selkies and/or hellhounds at some point! 😊

[@radityawidandi1603]

Even here I can't escape the dread of seeing a species that will go extinct in the next 30 years

[@JanaPacáková]

LOVE this version of Kelpie!!!🤩🤩

[@Xillionnonono]

Thank you for covering the Kelpie! I'm a huge fan of your work and their legends, so this is amazing!!

[@avisaurian6648]

This is a really cool reimagining of the kelpie. Also, you should try and make a hybrid that can defeat goji centers indominus rex 2.0

[@vishnupradeep3396]

Great video. As always. Merry Christmas 🌲🌲🌲

[@ThoughtPotato]

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@robertmcnear8345]

Wow. Even if I thought of the Kelpie being here, I never would've thought of an octopus. Suggestion for next time maybe; we haven't seen anything from the likes of Japan. Maybe try explaining a yokai?

[@Venison049]

Can't wait to see Prehistoric related Cryptids

[@nerdragon2649]

Astounding video, good sir! Keep with the amazing work! Have you ever considered about making videos for creatures from brazilian folklore? It's a really diverse and amazing, though sadly overlooked, subject! My top 3 suggestions would be the Boitatá, Curupira and Mapinguari. PS: What's the amazing bagpipes song you used at the start of the video?

[@rachelmoore3418]

Beautiful video! I love all of your videos, they're so increedible. I love your scientific rigour, creepy content, and somehow soothing voice? And the art is simply phenomenal. Thank you so much!! 🥰 Edit: Holy shit, the kelpie as an octopus? That is so clever! How the hell do you even come up with this stuff? And somehow, it's even creepier than a standard ghostly horse

[@ThoughtPotato]

Wow, thank you! And thanks for watching.

[@rynebradley1859]

Such an amazing, out of the box interpretation of the kelpie! That was phenomenal! I know it's more of a spirit than a cryptid, but I'd love to see what you could do with a banshee.

[@AzureSkyCiel]

This is probably one of the most lighthearted of these videos. For once the monster isn't treated as some aberrant horror with an almost malign intellect, but rather a wonder of nature and evolution that even needs protection.

[@catsinmycradle6315]

I would like to congratulate you on being the first person in a long time to give me a recurring nightmare. I listen to biology/monster videos before going to sleep. (And a list of prayers but that’s not the point) and I had a dream that while vacationing a horse kept trying to come into the house to kill and eat me. This was such a specific nightmare to have several nights in a row that I looked up what videos played after I fell asleep and watched them to see what could have influenced my dreams like that. I really mean this as a compliment your video is so well done my brain took it as fact and made nightmares of it. So congrats on your video. I enjoyed listening to it when I was awake lol.

[@merpamerp1660]

i love your videos man, please do the baromitz next. it is a plant that mimics a sheep

[@guyfakes8046]

That was unexpected, I thought this video would have been about another lineage of equine turned semi-aquatic, with webbed feet and a symbiosis with algae to create some sort of glue io order to capture whatever approached and drag it in the water, but the octopus works too

[@jillking5876]

I have to salute you for coming to such an interesting conclusion of what a kelpie truly could be in real life. Very well done.

[@Wesley76515]

I'm so excited for your next installment, given that we're in Scotland, and its right next to Ireland, i really hope uou include something about Fey creatures or just fairies in general. I'd love to see what you come up with.

[@Labyrinthwall]

The creativity is astounding I absolutely adore this

[@Pr0t0drag0n]

I really love this series. You should definitly do the Jersey Devil next!

[@deathbringerdragon170]

YEEESSS FINALLY!!! IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT THE KELPIE

[@trikepilot101]

At the beginning I was expecting a carnivorous plant. Nice work.

[@clintonbehrends4659]

This is kind of how I imagine a realistic interpretation of the Lusca would be like. with the mantle looking like the sharks head and the tentacles desguised as a shark tail

[@vee-bee-a]

Can't wait for the unicorns & its variants, man. 👍🏻

[@8-ball350]

This guy is so creative with these explanations this is peak content frfr

[@WingsaberE3]

Think this is my favorite one so far! Followed closely by the mandrill manticore!

[@Orionuki]

Oh my goodness this is one of the most creative things I’ve ever seen!

[@dreadthemadsmith]

The Octopus Kelpie idea is a bit out there, but it was presented well and believable. Especially given what mimic octopuses do. Personally I would have thought it was one of those "Hell Pigs" (Entelodontidae) that did the same thing as Ant Mimic Spiders who look like Ants so the can feed on their Larva.

[@JordyAnimations]

This is the most clever and creative way to make a somewhat realistic Kelpie

[@danteabaddon]

Best Kelpie ever.

[@_Scorchwing_]

It would be incredibly cool to see the Changgwi/Ma Trành or slaves of the tiger demon legend be spoken about in an analytical way. Tigers are mythical and important in multiple cultures, so to see it being portrayed in a more negative way is incredibly fascinating. Excellent work as usual :]

[@shadowldrago]

My favorite moment in these videos is going from “OK, how does this work” to “Oh, that makes so much sense!”

[@Luke-jf9df]

Making a kelpie into a cephalopod was a creative choice. Can you do the blemmyes? I’ve always wondered how they would work.

[@zacharyjames9602]

Merry Christmas to us!😂

[@alexjewett7455]

I didn't think you could turn a horse into an octopus, but you somehow made it work.

[@ananslator3655]

Question and query have you ever thought of having him discover a completely different species of creature like a creature? That’s not in the mythologies,myths,legends, Sightings at all?

[@ThoughtPotato]

That is a great question. I may explore something like that in World Anvil at some point, though I doubt a video on a unique species would do very well :/

[@ananslator3655]

@ are you may be surprised I have heardstories on Cryptid Hunter channels about creatures that aren’t in the mythologies or stuff things like carnivorous deer that have hooves, fur and horns made entirely of bronze,humongous wolves taller than the dire wolf and as long as weasels, Big football sized fireflies can sing and make you fall asleep heck you’ve only discovered 5% of the ocean as well as the life in there who knows what kind of creatures were never sighted before he some could be considered mythological sea monsters for all we know like darkness prevails says this world is a strange one

[@carolynallisee2463]

OK, so I understand that this is fictional, but, within the fiction, there might be another explanation for the Kelpie's 'Racing Cloud' colour change pattern. Whilst it is undoubtedly a predator, it may not be the apex predator in Scotland's lochs. That title may well belong to Greenland Sharks, who are occasionally sighted in the waters of the Lochs, and have led to people believing they have seen 'Nessie'. A mesmerising, changing colour pattern may give one of these octopods the chance to evade a hunting shark. And if these creatures took humans as prey in the past, there may well have been a backlash, where humans did all they could to hunt down the Kelpies. Therefore, wouldn't in be logical that the kelpie would use its coour changing trick to confuse and disorient a human so it could slip back into the water and safety? Especially if the human came upon it suddenly, when it wasn't preparing to hunt?

[@stopgont7360]

Great! I was thinking of a similar idea for a south american cryptid / legend called "el cuero" which is basically a living piece of cow hide with tentacles that attacks bystanders in the chilean swamps. Many people who believe in the creature suggest it is a type of ray but I tought it would be fun to make it a freshwater octopus species. So my version of the creature would be a big octopus that secretes a sticky substance through his mantle and uses it to stick marshes and acuatic plants to its body as camouflage. However sometimes this octopi finds the hide of cows that has been discarded by local farmers and sticks to it, resulting in a decrease on succesful hunts and a despertate need for ay type of food, including humans.

[@praetorianrex5571]

The fact that they descended from individuals that got stranded in unfamiliar domain got me thinking of the possibility of an empire being taken down by a monster THEY created through their actions taken against the land they conquered.

[@evodolka]

VERY interesting Kelpie, never would have thought octopus, that's legit awesome

[@dragonturtle2703]

Always love your videos. If you take suggestions for future videos, the fox spirit/nine-tailed fox may be a good one.

[@jawz9455]

He did it again!

[@StephenKuntz-c5k]

It gives us more of an abundant of analogy from myth & legends of the native lands and their mythology for we, as the viewers, to further understand of the very nature of the hidden world that we are unaware of their existence. For our sake of consistency to further better of these mythical creatures of our ancient past of showing to the very would give us of a more clarity for our own fundamental knowledge to these extraordinary creatures and better further understand of their anatomy through biological standpoint

[@SignalFire_Animations]

Yes Kelpie!! They’re my favorite cryptid so I’ve been eagerly awaiting this :D

[@wildghoul7485]

Any possibility for you to make a video about Nahuales?👀 Big praise from Mexico, love your videos.

[@ethanchase734]

Merry Christmas

[@ThoughtPotato]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@spiritbomber9359]

That's a really cool take on the Kelpie, I'll definitely check out trail of cryptids

[@drunkenwhaler6890]

omg this is the same idea i had for kelpies in my western! i love it

[@kjs295]

Thank you for this ❤ Hoping you will make the Mananaggal of The Philippines soon ❤❤❤

[@Jdne199311]

PCU has grown again!!! also how old is your chatacter? are they a vampire themselves?

[@ThoughtPotato]

There is some question as to whether he is still alive today, but around the time of many of his recordings he would be in his 40s. There is no known record of an infection.

[@ThePresidentOfCOG]

Your art slays or whoever made it, it's really cool.

[@dakotatompkins5579]

This is awesome! love these videos! keep up the awesome content man!